As I prepare to leave for Miami, Fl., I know this trip would not be possible without the support of so many of my family and friends. Thank you for making this trip a reality and sharing this journey with me. I can't wait to share it with you. I want to know how life is going back home, please keep me updated! You know I always love a good story.

Happy New Year!!!! May it be a great one!

Emily

WHAT ARE WE DOING NEXT YEAR????

Can you believe it, the race route has changed again! Hey, we go where there is a need. Want a great explanation of what we'll be doing next year? Check out Kristen's link. It's awesome!

As our time to depart for the World Race quickly approaches, many have asked how to send goodies our way! Here is AIM's response:

Due to the nature of our mission trip, racers will not be able to receive care packages. The mail system and import taxes make things a challenge. However, cards and letters are certainly welcome. Cards and letters from home can be taken to the field most of the time by race coaches. We understand the value of this to racers on the field and will try our best to get these to the field each time a Coach visits. Cards and letters should be flat and compact.  Please mail these to:

Adventures in Missions

Gainesville, Ga. 30501

And the winner is....Danetta Meador

Danetta was the lucky winner of a free beach weekend at the Carillon Beach Resort in sunny Florida! The Support Missions Raffle took place at 6:00P.M. on Dec. 5^th. 

Laura Hunnicutt

Burt Barto

Growing up I learned that working hard would bring success. As an athlete I put in long hours at practice, so when it came to game time our team could go out on the court and make it happen. I learned how to depend on myself, I learned most often I could find "success" if I performed well and gave my all. Such capability made one thing very hard though. It made it hard to trust God.

When you are so used to depending on yourself, you don't feel like you need God. Now, looking back, I realize God in His Grace allowed good things to come my way. He gave me the ability to perform.  He gave me people who supported and encouraged me. However, while I tried to be humble, most often this underlying feeling of success, achievement, and performance only added to my pride.

The World Race is one of my first steps in dependency on God. Having relied on myself for so long, I'm learning what it means to trust God. What does it look like to trust God for fundraising, for safety, for food, for shelter?  I'm finding sometimes my faith is weak. I'm learning Faith is one area where I can't just perform on the spot. I can't just make it happen. I can't just be at peace knowing God's in control.  I spent so many years trusting in myself and my abilities it's hard to trust that he will provide. It makes me sad I missed out for so long on His power and faithfulness.

So, these are my first steps. And I have HOPE. For each time I let go, and God takes control, I witness his power.  I see I am not alone. I see Him "make things happen" , things I could never forsee. And my trust grows - Making it easier to believe each time that he will not forsake me. That he loves me, and I don't have to depend on myself. That is freeing....that is TRUST.

Trust is what I will be learning this year.  Jump in with me.

Tonight I found myself referring to God as Dude. My heart was anxious about fundraising; $13,800 is a lot to raise. As I was praying I found myself saying to God, "Dude, I don't know how I'm going to get this money." It hit me...I just called God, Dude. It just sort of slipped out. I felt bad at first, thinking God deserves a much more reverent title. But then I realized, I don't think I've ever been so real in prayer. 

I love the story in James 2:

"If a man comes into your church dressed in expensive clothes and with valuable gold rings on his fingers, and at the same moment another man comes in who is poor and dressed in threadbare clothes, and you make a lot of fuss over the rich man and give him the best seat in the house and say to the poor man, "You can stand over there if you like, or else sit on the floor" –well judging a man by his wealth shows that you are guided by wrong motives."

This story reminds me that God wants us to come as we are. I didn't mean to address God as Dude, but I'm glad I felt comfortable enough to do it. It's been a while since I've spoken so freely and honestly in prayer. Doesn't it feel good to know we can be real with God! 

http://rebeccabillings.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-i-was-called-to-the-mission-field

I expect I will meet people that will stay with me forever:

I expect some days will be hard, some days will be great, but that they will be days I'll never forget.

Two years ago I graduated from college with a degree in business. Like most graduates, I had no idea what I wanted to do.  I loved the outdoors, loved working with kids, loved sharing my faith, and had a huge desire to serve. But I didn't know where God wanted me.  

So, I ventured into the business world. The average 9 to 5 job. I didn't think I'd stop there for long. My job was rewarding, and my coworkers were wonderful.  I learned a lot, and was challenged each day. But as I sat at my desk, watching the outside world from my window, I knew something wasn't right.  I kept asking God, what do you want me to do?  I missed youth ministry like crazy; all I wanted to do was hang out with people and share stories all day. (if only we could be so lucky)  So, I thought, teaching, working with kids, that's it.

Later that year I began my first year of teaching. Growing up with a Mom for a teacher, I thought I knew what I was getting into. But I was in a tough school, with challenging kids, most of who had been damaged from a rough home life. Balancing teaching and students' behaviors was a challenge. A BIG challenge. Thankfully, halfway through the year God sent me a little gift. I coached basketball, and finally I was able to break through to a few students. We had fun sharing, talking about life, and teaching a little math along the way. But once again, this little voice wouldn't go away.   And at the end of the year I knew there was something else, and I couldn't let my fear hold me back.

Since college I have desired to share my faith and life with others around the world.  But I never had a specific country I felt called to. Or certain people I felt close to. All I knew was that I had an overwhelming desire to GO, and SERVE. For two years, that's all the little voice inside kept saying: Just Go, and Serve.  But I didn't know where?

Then I heard about the World Race. Two years ago I wouldn't have been ready to jump in. I worried about raising money, I worried about what my parents thought.   But when I said YES to the world race, the peace I received was all the confirmation I needed. Over and over my prayer has been, God if this is not where you want me, make it clear. But I'm at peace, and I know it's because I'm finally answering that voice inside.